Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Lost at Sea

That's how I feel on the wardrobe front.  Half the time I feel like that about the overall state of my life.  I mean do you ever really know what you're supposed to be doing with your life?  Another post for another day, I guess.

Anyway.  I've been going through my clothes and trying to come up with some sort of plan for Fall/Winter.  It's not been that successful.  Wardrobe schizophrenia has struck and the conclusion is as follows:  I can't find anything I'm interested in adding to my existing closet (even though I'm a little bored most of my stuff except the fringe) because everything in-store reminds me of the 80's.  I lived through the 80's.  I lived it to the fullest:  neon, lace, jeggings, crotch-drooping pants, military vests, moto jackets, oversized sweaters, shaker knit.  Only when it was over did I realize the scar that was left behind.  Clearly all wounds don't heal because I'm still tossed up (only the mad love for military boots remains).  And then came the 90's.  Still had more military boots than the closet could contain.  Oxfords?  Another left over guilty pleasure from the 80's.

What are my options?  Still trying to figure that out.  Yesterday I attacked a stack of mail and uncovered the October Free People catalogue.  Pretty sure I couldn't wear any of it for work, but there's something about bag lady chic that's always called out to me.  Bag lady it is.

Like the motto on this one.  
Might even bring back my Kurt Cobain stage and wear the plaid.
But everything else is a win for sure.
Love this entire idea.  
Not sure I'd wanna work those boots, but a similar substitute and ta-da.
I don't want what everyone else has either.  Just the jacket.
Long sweater dress.  Food for thought.  
Sans rainbow boots for me, but they are cute on her.
I don't know.  There's a part of me that's still back in the September catalogue
where I found this one.  The dress is wonderful and would be 
superb with a chunky grey sweater over top, no?

Anyone else in 80's denial?
*images via Free People*

43 comments:

m_b said...

carrie, i also have NO idea where my inspiration lies this winter. what's one to do? get rid of it all and start fresh? work with what we've got? dilemmas, i tell you.

Barbara von Enger said...

Not in 80s denial but I love being inspired. One must always seek inspiration otherwise you feel "Lost at sea" - ;-)

Collette Osuna said...

Im right there with you....Im in desperate need of some color in my fall wardrobe....love the FP pieces:)


Statements in Fashion:A Funky Little Fashion Blog

Lori said...

The 80's have indeed arrived ~ I was shopping last night and while I was in the shoe dept I had a high school flash back! Love that last dress Carrie ~ I think it should be yours... xo

annelise said...

Hmm ... I pretty much have no style at the moment (pyjamas disguised as t-shirts, etc) and even though I really love your boho style at the moment, I think I really loved your your style beforehand. The leather pants and stuff. The tougher look, rock chick.

Having said that though, that first outfit with the long plaid shirt-thingy, I love. I can see that on you.

Anonymous said...

Love that last dress, especially paired w/ the boots! xo

Judy C said...

My closet is giving me such a fit that last night I actually dreamed-read had a nightmare-about it. And the rest of the house too. I read that one shouldn't have anything in the house they don't love. That concept is a good one but it's giving me fits cause what I love changes a lot over time. Gotta go back to the closet now. Help

RosaLovesDC said...

Oh Carrie, I can see rocking every single one of those looks! And I would totally love to relive the 90s, I wore so much plaid and listened to Kurt Cobain all the time!

Courtney Erin said...

I could totally see you making any of those looks really, truly your own. There's something "you" about them...I say embrace the bag lady chic and charge forwards!

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.com

Closet Fashionista said...

These looks are totally you!! And I would wear them all too, minus a couple of things like you, haha.
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Lisa Griffin said...

There definitely is something stale about this season in stores. I looooved what i was seeing in the magazines and on the runways, but it doesn't seem to be translating!
www.indramaticfashion.com

erica said...

I am there with you except also at a meltdown point. During the fall and winter my wardrobe is around my boot collection. I basically live in one of the 70 pairs I own. However this year after living in Pittsburgh and walking up hills my calfs became massive this has led to NONE not a single one of my boots fitting. It's so beyond heart breaking!

xo

17 Perth said...

80's denial for sure.....I do love that last dress...Would be perfect with a sweater for fall. My wardrobe lately consists of pajamas....but this weekend, I plan to change it. I must. Immediately! ;)

Alleen said...

My fall/winter wardrobe is in dire need of an overhaul (FYI, don't go through your closet while PMS'ing)...thanks for the inspiration! xo

Secondhand Stella said...

I can't do the 90s again! Everything reminds me of 7th grade ;)

Love the necklace in the 4th photo.

TheChambrayCountess said...

I am totally with you. Although I was just a tot with no sartorial sense in the 80's, I got lots of hand-me-downs for my older sis and cousins, so I was wearing a lot of 80's pieces well into the early 90's, which is even more scarring!!! I like your Free People inspiration and maybe if you focus on pieces like that cool jacket, sumptuous knits and that sweater dress (my interest was piqued, too) you'll make it through the upcoming seasons without reopening wounds ;)

Tanvi said...

I like your inspirations ... but I don't know where mine lies this season. I really haven't decided on that I want for coming months! not very exciting, I tell you!

♡ from © tanvii.com

Anonymous said...

I will take that jacket and the dark tights.

Tiffany Kadani said...

With change brings uncertainty and, alas, with the weather changing definitely brings about fashion uncertainty for me also. I nixed the 80's fashion in the 80's.

The Suburb Experiment said...

I feel ya on the bag lady chic. Although I think mine skews a little OLD lady sometimes.

I flove that big gray cardigan up there but the price tag - eep! Did you like the crazy wide leg velvet overalls in the catalogue? They definitely don't say 80s. :)

Jenn

Peetzi Jen said...

Lord have mercy!!! I did the 80's once and I don't care to do it again either! In fact, I even have a hard time with the whole idea of oxfords coming back. I wore them into the ground!!!

That last look is so you and with a big chunky sweater...it could do fall/winter realllll nicely!

XOXO!
Jen

P.S. I'm not gonna lie...there are moments with I definitely miss certain aspects of my GIGANTIC 80's hair :)

Tara @ Haute Lunch said...

Yeah, I don't know how much 80s stuff I want to wear on a regular basis. Maybe if I were going to a concert at night, but that's about it. I go through phases (or perhaps fashion goes through phases) when I can't find anything I like, either. My mom even picks up on the same trends because some years she'll complain that she can't find anything I will like for Christmas or my birthday. I liked the Free People catalogue, though, and some of the stuff in Anthropologie's was cute, too.

kimbirdy said...

i love free people so much! everything has this element of freedom, and being carefree. i guess it makes total sense that their shop would include "free" in the title. but those are two things i long for in my life, so to be able to put those sentiments on with my clothes seems like such a dreamy ideal. ...if only it weren't so damn hot still.

Josie said...

Bigsigh. I wish I'd lived through the 80s. Everything about the decade fascinates me. I love these blasts from the past!
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

Marie a la Mode said...

Ahhh, Free People. Thanks to you I visited a store in Scotsdale, remember when you hooked me up? THANK YOU! I want those boots, I want everything actually. Including the model's height ; )

Ashleigh said...

Free People is a good start. Not that I'm very inspired anyway but since my budget is non existent this season I'm hoping when I unpack the winter clothes from storage this weekend I'll fall madly in love with what I already have...we'll see ;)
Speaking of Life Plan, I just started on one. Check out Michael Hyatt, seriously, he's a cool,smart,good dude. I'm just getting started but I'm digging it.

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

I'm feeling very much in the same boat. Reading your post makes me feel like I need to buy a bunch of magazines, tear out pictures, and lie them all on the floor so I can see what I am drawn to now a days.
To be honest I have clothes. Lots of clothes. But I gained about 10 lbs since last year.. and well.. I don't like how anything fits. I feel frumpish. And untidy. I don't want to go buy a whole new wardrobe, but I don't like how my current wardrobe fits.. yuck.

k said...

i am loving these eclectic styles for sure!

Anonymous said...

I tried to be organized (for once) with my fall shopping and it still hasn't gotten my far. I'm at a loss on the wardrobe front and life.... well, I've never quite gotten that figured out.

Ok, moisturizers. I've been using Aveeno for about a year now and I'm pretty happy with it. I'm wanting to overhaul my skincare though so everything could change in the next few months. It takes forever to find something I'm happy with since my skin is so sensitive. But Aveeno is good for that, so I've been happy with the moisturizer.

A Crimson Kiss said...

Always. I admit to being terrible at following trends, but really, the 80s? It's a tacky party theme, not a fashion statement.

Claire Kiefer said...

That last image is gorgeous. What a romantic dress. I've been denying myself clothes shopping lately but oh, the urge is coming back.

Hope you're doing well, Carrie! xoxo

Unknown said...

i looked at the catalog too yesterday - ripped all the pages out of things i want with HOT PINK circles around them - then casually laid them around my house so Joe will see and hopefully order

i WANT the boots in the first pick and the sweater in the 2nd - the $300+ is KILLING me tho!!!!!

get this one babes - i dunno how i'm gonna do - but 2012 i'm not buying 1 SINGLE thing -- I KNOW I KNOW - call me crazy and i'm prob gonna fail - but i sure as hell gonna give it my all and live through others great buys -- maybe some friends will lend me their goodies!

Grace (The Stripe) said...

Haha. I totally hear you. Go to Zara. I spent entirely too much money there...dangerous! So many great things right now. But yes, I'm all set with the 80's. I love that dress though - would be lovely with a chunky sweater indeed.

stylenuggets said...

I was actually rather worried on reading the title but glad to see it's only a figure of speech and not reality!
How about the 70's themed fashion? There must be some around for Fall, no?

danielle said...

per the closet: i try to purge as often as i binge. if something goes in, something's gotta come out. it helps keep the sanity.
per adding to the closet for fall, i went apeshit when i saw this free people dress on shopbop today:
http://www.shopbop.com/native-rose-dress-free-people/vp/v=1/845524441918494.htm?folderID=2534374302090711&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=15890

Wander.Lust said...

oooh i love those pictures... long live the 80s!

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

free people never ceases to amaze me, ever. I got that catalogue too and drooled the entire way there... amazing. You do "bag lady chic" so well, which sounds like an insult- I would think "boho chic" would be a better way to say it! :) And yes, I question things all the time about life, sometimes it's just hard to figure it all out :)

Polly said...

Maybe an addidas tracksuit...!! But no Im not so good at the 80s is that whole already did it thing that mostly sings in the back of my mind.

his little lady said...

the kurt cobain style never goes out of fashion. bring it back!!
xo TJ

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

need look 3 and 4 fo sho...

LyddieGal said...

Usually i find FP to be quite inspiring, but i don't know if i'm liking the bag lady chic.

wardrobe identity crises do seem to parallel real life ones. I always feel like i'm trying to cultivate a wardrobe for the romantic pretend version of my life and not the real one.

Chic on the Cheap

Unknown said...

just thought u should know - Free People KILLED me today - WHY IN THE WORLD DID I CLICK ON THE SITE????

aughhhhh - bankruptcy here i come!

The Blonde @ Stylish3 said...

I think the Kurt Cobain/grunge look is perfect for you. My wardrobe is also in a state of flux... I'm trying to acquire more basics and mix-and-match pieces to stretch my wardrobe out some more.

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